{"product_id":"authentic-koto-era-katana-for-sale-sukesada-nbthk-hozon-token-certificate-tozando","title":"Authentic Kotō Era Katana for Sale - Sukesada, NBTHK Hozon Token Certificate | Tozando","description":"\u003ch2\u003eJapanese Katana, signed Bishū Osafune Sukesada (備州長船祐定作), dated Eiroku 8 (1565) — late Muromachi period, Bizen — NBTHK Hozon Tōken — ubu, dated, with a period koshirae and a shirasaya\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUbu, signed-and-dated Sengoku-era Bizen Osafune Sukesada katana · well-packed itame with the faint midare-utsuri that is the hallmark of Bizen · notare-based suguha with ko-gunome, ashi, yō and ko-nie · a deep 2.2 cm sori · NBTHK Hozon, complete with both a period mounting and a shirasaya\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai) \u003cem\u003eHozon Tōken\u003c\/em\u003e — its certificate the proof of both assured quality and historical value. This is a superb \u003cem\u003eubu\u003c\/em\u003e (original-length), signed (\u003cem\u003ezaimei\u003c\/em\u003e) katana by \u003cem\u003eBishū Osafune Sukesada\u003c\/em\u003e, a master of Bizen working in the late Muromachi period. A precious historical document carrying an \u003cem\u003eEiroku\u003c\/em\u003e-era date (1565) cut on the reverse — from the very height of the Warring States (\u003cem\u003eSengoku\u003c\/em\u003e) age — it is nonetheless freshly polished, nearly flawless, and exceptionally sound in both ground and edge. Its deep, beautiful 2.2 cm curvature and thick, substantial build preserve the shape of the period exactly as it was, boasting overwhelming beauty and impact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHighlights for the collector\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSigned and dated:\u003c\/strong\u003e ubu, unaltered tang signed \"Bishū Osafune Sukesada\" with an Eiroku 8 (1565) date — a true reference piece from the Sengoku period.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNBTHK Hozon Tōken\u003c\/strong\u003e (No. 383044) — independently authenticated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClassic Bizen work:\u003c\/strong\u003e well-forged itame with the coveted faint \u003cem\u003emidare-utsuri\u003c\/em\u003e, and a lively temper full of ashi and yō.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRemarkably healthy\u003c\/strong\u003e for its age and freshly polished.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComplete package:\u003c\/strong\u003e comes both in a flavorful antique \u003cem\u003ekoshirae\u003c\/em\u003e for display and in a \u003cem\u003eshirasaya\u003c\/em\u003e for safe storage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWorkmanship and condition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFreshly polished, the blade is in extremely sound condition wholly worthy of the \u003cem\u003eHozon\u003c\/em\u003e designation; in the interest of full disclosure, a few flaws and the trace of a forging blister (\u003cem\u003efukure\u003c\/em\u003e) have been filled with patch metal (\u003cem\u003eumegane\u003c\/em\u003e). The \u003cem\u003ejigane\u003c\/em\u003e is an \u003cem\u003eitame-hada\u003c\/em\u003e, exceptionally well forged and packed, across which the faint \u003cem\u003emidare-utsuri\u003c\/em\u003e (undulating temper reflection) that is the very essence of Bizen rises in wavering form, moist and clear. The \u003cem\u003ehamon\u003c\/em\u003e is a \u003cem\u003enotare\u003c\/em\u003e-tinged \u003cem\u003esuguha\u003c\/em\u003e, breaking into \u003cem\u003eko-gunome\u003c\/em\u003e around the \u003cem\u003emonouchi\u003c\/em\u003e (striking area). Within the edge run abundant \u003cem\u003eashi\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eyō\u003c\/em\u003e, with \u003cem\u003eko-nie\u003c\/em\u003e that make it bright and clear. The \u003cem\u003ebōshi\u003c\/em\u003e turns in as a \u003cem\u003emidare-komi\u003c\/em\u003e and returns firmly, without a single flaw. The tang (\u003cem\u003enakago\u003c\/em\u003e) is \u003cem\u003eubu\u003c\/em\u003e and unaltered, clearly cut on the front (\u003cem\u003eomote\u003c\/em\u003e) with the signature \u003cem\u003eBishū Osafune Sukesada\u003c\/em\u003e and on the reverse (\u003cem\u003eura\u003c\/em\u003e) with the \u003cem\u003eEiroku\u003c\/em\u003e date — carrying the weight of history to the present day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eForm\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003esori\u003c\/em\u003e stands deep at 2.2 cm, and both \u003cem\u003emotohaba\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003esakihaba\u003c\/em\u003e are solid, giving a thick, substantial build. The blade perfectly preserves the form of a sword of the late-Muromachi age of war, and the weight and dignified bearing felt when it is taken in hand are truly in a class of their own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOn the smith — Bishū Osafune Sukesada\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Osafune school of Bizen province has been called the very \"incarnation of the swordsmith,\" the single most prosperous lineage in the entire history of the Japanese sword. Among them, the \u003cem\u003eSukesada\u003c\/em\u003e line that rose to fame in the late Muromachi period were masters who perfectly fused practicality and beauty, winning overwhelming support from warlords throughout the country. Blades like this one — meeting the harsh demand of the Sengoku era yet made with the very highest technique, and surviving in \u003cem\u003eubu\u003c\/em\u003e, signed, and healthy condition — are exceedingly rare today, and are highly prized as emblematic of the beauty of Bizen swords.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe period koshirae\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sword is accompanied by a fine \u003cem\u003ejidai koshirae\u003c\/em\u003e of aged dignity and quiet composure. The hilt is finished in subdued brown cord wrap, and a round iron \u003cem\u003etsuba\u003c\/em\u003e — pierced with a fine chrysanthemum-and-vine openwork against a subdued iron ground — provides an exquisite accent, evoking the refined aesthetic of the samurai. The black-lacquer \u003cem\u003esaya\u003c\/em\u003e retains an age-appropriate character, and the ensemble as a whole is in very good condition. In addition, a \u003cem\u003eshirasaya\u003c\/em\u003e for protection and storage is included (with a small chip to part of the horn).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fine sword combining an Eiroku-dated ubu form that breathes the very air of the Sengoku era with an almost miraculous, near-flawless soundness. With its NBTHK Hozon certificate, a beautiful blade in which one can savor the essence of Sukesada, and a characterful period koshirae, it is a piece fully worthy of heading any collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Katana (shinogi-zukuri)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature (mei):\u003c\/strong\u003e Bishū Osafune Sukesada (備州長船祐定作), front; dated Eiroku 8 (1565), reverse; ubu, zaimei\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCertification:\u003c\/strong\u003e NBTHK \u003cem\u003eHozon Tōken\u003c\/em\u003e (No. 383044), issued May 28, 2019\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late Muromachi period, dated Eiroku 8 (1565)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmith \/ school:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bishū Osafune Sukesada — Bizen Osafune school\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJigane:\u003c\/strong\u003e well-packed itame with faint midare-utsuri; moist and clear\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHamon:\u003c\/strong\u003e notare-based suguha with ko-gunome at the monouchi; abundant ashi and yō, ko-nie, bright and clear\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBōshi:\u003c\/strong\u003e midare-komi, returning firmly\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlade length (nagasa):\u003c\/strong\u003e 68.4 cm \/ 26.93 in (2 shaku 2 sun 6 bu)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurvature (sori):\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.2 cm (deep)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth at base (motohaba):\u003c\/strong\u003e 33.9 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness at base (motokasane):\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.3 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth at tip (sakihaba):\u003c\/strong\u003e 22.9 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness at tip (sakikasane):\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.4 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight (blade only):\u003c\/strong\u003e 890 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight (without scabbard):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1,180 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e freshly polished, very sound; a few flaws and a forging-blister trace filled with umegane; ji and ha healthy\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e period koshirae — brown-wrapped tsuka, round iron tsuba with chrysanthemum-and-vine openwork, black-lacquer saya; shirasaya also included (minor horn chip)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTorokushō (Japanese registration) No.:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kōchi 33348\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Tozando Katana Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53600774095211,"sku":"611-ATQSWD-kochi33348","price":1620000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0491\/2178\/8069\/files\/kochi33348_sukesada_1.jpg?v=1784853866","url":"https:\/\/japanesesword.net\/products\/authentic-koto-era-katana-for-sale-sukesada-nbthk-hozon-token-certificate-tozando","provider":"Tozando Katana Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}